Future of closed Whitsunday Hotel in Mackay CBD revealed

ONE of town's most iconic pubs could be up and trading again by August

The Whitsunday International Hotel. Picture: Tony Martin

THE Whitsunday Hotel could be up and operating again by August - with the new owners currently completing a fresh refit and refurbishment. 

The local owners, Matthew, Bradley and Jennifer Petersen purchased the hotel in March this year for $1.276 million, according to RP Data and a new leasing advertisement has revealed the site will be split into four separate tenancies for retail and restaurant operators. 

Renovations have been ongoing and two of the tenancies, which measure between 100 and 220sq m, have already been spoken for. 

Inside the hotel has been fitted out with a kitchen, a grease trap and a range hood, while outside there is rear access and a full glass shop front yet to be installed.

PRD Nationwide agent Greg Chappell told The Daily Mercury last month that the 52-year-old hotel had sold, but would not reveal the owners or the price due to confidentially clauses.

The hotel previously sold in September, 2016 for $408,320 when it went into receivership and despite being operated by Oz Pub Group for a short period after that, the decision was made to close the doors that year.

Prior to that the hotel sold for $4.8 million in February, 2006. A hotel has stood on the site, at the north-west corner of Victoria and Macalister streets, since 1873.

The original Victoria Hotel was destroyed by fire on September 3, 1897. It was rebuilt but was badly damaged in the 1918 cyclone. 

Details of the retailers and restaurants moving into the space have not been released. 

Originally published as Future of closed Whitsunday Hotel in Mackay CBD revealed